Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder: Overlooked Weapon Gets Real About Catching Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks by Surprise

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 5/9/24

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s best player this season is undeniably Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but he’s not doing it all for his team in the playoffs. He still needs help and the good thing about his teammates is that they’re providing him ample support. In the Thunder’s Game 1 117-95 home win over the Dallas Mavericks , Aaron Wiggins came out of nowhere and helped Oklahoma City get to a good start in the contest.

Aaron Wiggins Gives Oklahoma City Thunder a Nice Boost Off the Bench

Wiggins fired 12 points in the first half and finished with 16 overall. He also had five boards and two assists, while finishing with a fantastic plus-18 – the best among all bench players from either side.

After the game, Wiggins shared the secret behind his surprising showing versus the Mavs in the series opener.

Via Nick Gallo:

“Just staying ready. I’m on the side, just prepping myself, trying to find comfortability within the flow of the game… Just playing confident, playing free, playing comfortable within the system. I was able to find good looks early.”

Wiggins, who was selected by the Thunder in the second round (55th overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft and played for the Maryland Terrapins in college, will be looking to be as effective – if not better – in Game 2 when the Thunder eye a 2-0 series lead against Luka Doncic and company. After his Game 1 performance, Wiggins raised his averages to 7.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in the 2024 playoffs.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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